Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/14/15
Happy Tuesday to you, Lion Nation.
Yeah, we're only two days into our work week and perhaps you're feeling a bit tired, but whatever you do, please be mindful of where you take your naps.
With that important safety tip in mind, let's get to your bounty of Tuesday morning Lion Links.
Vote for Cyle
We're only a few days away from Cyle Larin's 20th birthday on Friday and his early presents keep coming. On Sunday he scored his first MLS goal with a crazy chest shot off Kevin Molino's blazing cross. Yesterday that goal became a finalist for MLS Goal of the Week. Give the Canadian international and No. 1 pick in January's SuperDraft your vote, won't you?
And remember, if you're a programming wiz who decides to create a bot that votes repeatedly for Larin, we didn't tell you to do that. So whatever you do, don't accuse us of telling technically adept people to create a bot that votes for Larin repeatedly. Because we never did that.
Lions Partner with Bright House
Good news, selfie takers/posters!
Orlando City announced yesterday that Bright House Networks has signed as a founding partner and the club’s exclusive and official cable, internet, home phone and home security partner. Bright House will outfit the new downtown soccer stadium with telecommunications services, including high capacity wifi and dedicated internet for sending and receiving videos, pictures, and surfing the web at Lions games. In addition, suites and common areas will feature high definition, fiber-based video services, and stadium personnel will utilize Bright House Networks’ cloud-based hosted voice service for communications.
"Bright House Networks shares our same vision of providing the best services and hospitable experiences to our supporters respectively," said Orlando City Founder and President Phil Rawlins. "Through this partnership, we will allow our supporters to stay connected at our stadium and enjoy interacting with each other during games."
There's no word on how long you'll be on hold to report a wifi outage at the stadium
American Outlaws Works on Internal Improvements
The USMNT supporters group American Outlaws came under fire after a recent unflattering piece by Noah Davis detailed incidents of sexism, racism and just plain frat bro-ish behavior among its members. It's not the kind of thing that's unique to a large, predominantly male organization with a young-ish average age, but that doesn't excuse the behavior.
AO (which, full disclosure, I'm a member) is taking steps to more aggressively stamp out such behavior among its ranks with a new program called AO Watch. This program is designed to provide reporting mechanisms for violations of the organization's code of conduct. It is also establishing an AO Watch team to monitor members at events and work with stadium personnel to ensure spectator safety.
This is a big move for AO and one we wholeheartedly endorse, because, as the American Outlaws site says, "Any single instance of discrimination, racism, sexism, or homophobia is one too many."
Kitchen Replaces Orozco on USMNT
D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen, coming off a two-goal performance in a 2-2 draw against New York Red Bulls on Saturday, has been added to the USMNT roster for Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. Kitchen replaces defender Michael Orozco, whose Liga MX side Puebla is in the midst of a relegation battle in the 2015 Clausura season.
Houston Dynamo Acquires Alex from Chicago Fire
Brazilian international midfielder Alex is on his way to Houston after a swap reported Monday with the Chicago Fire. The Windy City side gets forward Jason Johnson in return. Fans of Orlando City might remember Johnson from his stint with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL last year.
Find out what our SB Nation MLS sister blogs Dynamo Theory (Houston) and Hot Time in Old Town (Chicago) have to say about the deal.
Ike Opara Suffers Potential Season-Ending Injury
Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara has sustained an Achilles injury that may end his season. Opara had been playing quite well for the SKC back line and this knock is quite a blow to a side with serious postseason ambitions. Sporting KC currently sits fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 2-3-1 record and is equal on points (9) with Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes – just one point behind FC Dallas and four back of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
We wish Ike a speedy and full recovery.
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That's all the links I've got for you today. As Andy in Shawshank said, you can either get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.